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• West Prong/Bote Mountain/Finley Cane/Lead Cove

  • When
    12/21/2024
  •  
    8:45 AM
  • Location
    West Prong trailhead, Tremont, GSMNP

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  From Tremont we'll take West Prong Trail to Bote Mountain Trail, and in 0.3 miles descend the Finley Cane Trail to its trailhead on Laurel Creek Road. Then in 0.2 miles we take the Lead Cove Trail back to Bote Mountain Trail. After lunch at the junction, we return to the West Prong trailhead. Total, 13.1 miles and ~2,600 feet climb, rated Moderately Difficult. Meet at Alcoa Food City at 8:00 am, or the West Prong trailhead at 8:45 am. Drive: 46 miles RT {@7¢= $3.22}.

  Leader: David Liles

  Leader contact information is included under Additional Information in the email you receive after registration.
  

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• House Mountain

  • When
    12/28/2024
  •  
    9:45 AM
  • Location
    Hogskin Road, Knoxville, TN

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  For this well-known local hike, we will ascend the West Overlook Trail, hike out the Crest Trail, and then hike back down the Mountain Trail. The 2,100-ft crest of House Mountain is the highest in Knox County. The trails are fairly steep through wooded terrain with rock outcrops. On the summit, the Crest Trail stretches the length of the mountain from the West End Overlook to the East Overlook offering wonderful views. Hike about 5 miles, rated Easy-Moderate. If you’d like to carpool from the west side of Knoxville, please meet at the Panera parking lot at 205 N Peters Rd. (off Cedar Bluff) at 9am or meet at the trailhead on Hogskin Rd. at 9:45 am. 27 Miles at 7 cents/mile = $1.89 from Panera carpool fee. Pre-registration with the leader is required.

  Leader: David Liles

  Leader contact information is included under Additional Information in the email you receive after registration.
  

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• Wednesday Hike: Curry Mountain Trail & Meigs Mountain Trail to CS20

  • When
    01/01/2025
  •  
    8:30 AM
  • Location
    Metcalf Bottoms picnic area, GSMNP

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  This pleasant out-and-back hike starts on an old logging road up the side of Curry He Mountain and continues on Curry She Mountain (both about 3,000 ft. high) to Meigs Mountain Trail (mile 3.3). We head east, through open woods, with a half-dozen easy creek crossings, to Campsite #20 (mile 5.5), where we'll have lunch. Return the same way. Totals: 11 miles and ~1,500 ft. climb. Rated Moderate. For carpooling, meet at Kroger, 244 S. Hall Rd., Alcoa (park at the side of the building near its SE corner), in time to leave at 7:30 am. Drive 54 miles RT [@ 7¢ / mile = $3.78]. Meet at Metcalf Bottoms picnic parking (southeast end) ready to hike at 8:30 am. Register by 6pm Dec. 31st.

  Leader: Eric Sundstrom

  Leader contact information is included under Additional Information in the email you receive after registration.

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• Chestnut Top

  • When
    01/04/2025
  •  
    9:00 AM
  • Location
    Townsend Wye Parking, GSMNP

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  This is a good out-and-back winter hike, in that the trailhead is accessible from Townsend and avoids any potential weather-related road closures within the park. From the trailhead, there is a gradual ascent of about 1200 feet through a mixed hardwood/pine forest, with some good views at this time of year toward Thunderhead Mountain and the crest of the Smokies. After reaching the high point at Chestnut Top, we have about a mile and a half of relatively level (for the Smokies) walking until our turnaround spot at the junction with Schoolhouse Gap Trail. Hike is 8.4 miles, rated moderate. Knoxville hikers can meet at 8:00am at the Kroger 244 S. Hall Road, Alcoa to carpool (roundtrip 40 miles @ $0.07 = $2.80 to the driver), or meet at the trailhead parking lot at the Townsend “Y” no later than 9:00am.

  Leader: Keith Blanton and Johnny Lee

  Leader contact information is included under Additional Information in the email you receive after registration.
  

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• Off Trail Hike: Camel Hump Creek

  • When
    01/11/2025

  Since Shanty Mountain in Cataloochee is currently inaccessible, we are substituting a hike on Camel Hump Creek. This route offers a combination of off-trail interests: big trees, a waterfall, and a steep ascent to the AT. We hope for some snow and ice at the higher elevation for a full winter experience. We will exit by way of Low Gap to make a loop and return to our vehicles for a warmup. Approximately 7 miles, with 1.5 miles off-trail. Rated Difficult. Previous off-trail experience required. Register with leaders for details on meetup time and place.

  Leaders: Kamrin Page and Cindy McJunkin

  To register, contact the leaders directly. You can find contact information in the January 2025 newsletter writeup for this hike.

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• Stinging Fork Falls Section of Cumberland Trail

  • When
    01/11/2025
  •  
    8:45 AM
  • Location
    Piney Creek trailhead, 700 Shut in Gap Road, Spring City, TN, 37381

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  For this section of the Cumberland Trail, we will hike from south to north, along Soak Creek and return the same way. We ascend and descend several bluff areas, and will see several waterfalls, including Stinging Fork Falls itself. The falls are part of the Stinging Fork Falls State Natural area and plunge 30 ft. in a fan shape, to the rocky creek below. Hike 11.6 miles RT. Rated difficult. Those wanting to carpool can meet at Lowes, Harriman, 1800 Roane State Hwy and be ready by 8:00 am to drive 40 minutes 27 miles to the Piney River RMA Trail head. At the trailhead parking there are several picnic tables, but NO facilities. Riders plan to pay exact change in cash to drivers, $3.78, (OK to round up to $4.00. Rate: $0.07 per mile x 54 miles RT). All hikers meet at Piney Creek TH, (700 Shut in Gap Road, Spring City, TN, 37381) and are ready to start hiking by 8:45 am.

  Leaders: Larry Johnson and Myra Moldaw

  Leader contact information is included under Additional Information in the email you receive after registration.

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• Easy Hike: Alcoa Greenway

  • When
    01/11/2025
  •  
    9:00 AM
  • Location
    North Greenway Parking area, Alcoa

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  Starting at the North Greenway parking area we will pass under Pellissippi Parkway and proceed on a new section of the Greenway that takes us to Springbrook Park. There we will do a one-mile loop. After taking advantage of the facilities, we will return the same way. Original plan was to do a loop but there is currently bridge repair that will probably not be completed in time. Either way the hike is 7 miles on pavement rated easy. Meet at the North Greenway Parking area at 9:00. Take Pellissippi Pkwy to where it ends at SR 33 and turn left. In 0.4 mile turn left onto Williams Mill Rd. In another 0.4 mile turn left onto Alcoa Trail. Parking is on the right. Directions are on Google Maps also.

  Leaders: David Smith and Valorie Beers

  Leader contact information is included under Additional Information in the email you receive after registration.
  

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• Wednesday Hike: Little River Trail to CS30

  • When
    01/15/2025
  •  
    8:30 AM
  • Location
    Little River trailhead, Elkmont, GSMNP

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  We'll hike the entire Little River Trail, from its well-marked trailhead in Elkmont to its end at Campsite #30 in a wide valley where more than a dozen creeks flow into the Little River (actually not so little). On our way we'll pass some old cabins, and junctions with 4 other trails: Cucumber Gap (mile 2.3), Huskey Gap (mile 2.8), Goshen Prong (mile 3.6), and Rough Creek (mile 4.5, shortly after Campsite #24). This trail has an elevation gain of ~1,200 feet in 6.1 miles, with 1 easy creek crossing (mile 4.3) plus 3 more demanding crossings in the final half-mile. After lunch, return the same way. Total 12.2 miles. Rated Difficult for distance. For carpooling, meet at Kroger, 244 S. Hall Rd., Alcoa (park at the side of the building near the SE corner), in time to leave at 7:30 am. Drive 66 miles RT [@ 7¢ / mile = $4.62]. Meet at the trailhead in Elkmont ready to hike at 8:30 am. Register by 6pm Jan 14th.

  Leader: Eric Sundstrom

  Leader contact information is included under Additional Information in the email you receive after registration.

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• New Member History Hike: Old Sugarlands Trail to Cherokee Orchard Road

  • When
    01/18/2025
  •  
    9:00 AM
  • Location
    Sugarlands Visitors Center, Gatlinburg, GSMNP

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  The Brown Book describes the Old Sugarlands Trail as an “undiscovered treasure, especially for history buffs” that receives relatively light use. For this New Member Hike, we’ll follow the left bank of the river where the roar of the river eliminates noise from the highway close by. Along what used to be State Hwy 71 we will pass an old rock quarry, old rock walls and the remains of an old CCC camp. The trail starts a gradual ascent before reaching Cherokee Orchard Road, our turnaround point. Hike is 8.8 miles round trip with 1300 ft. elevation gain, rated on the easy side of moderate. Meet at Cracker Barrel I-40 exit 398 (1510 Cracker Barrel Ln, Knoxville, TN 37914 in SE corner of parking lot) at 7:30 am to carpool or Sugarlands Visitor Center at 9:00 am. For those meeting at Sugarlands, please park in the far left edge of parking lot B which is farthest from NFG road. For carpooling, the round trip is 36 miles x $0.07 per mile = $2.52 round to $3.00 cash only.

  Leader: Brian Mason

  Leader contact information is included under Additional Information in the email you receive after registration.
  

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• Trillium Gap to Brushy Mountain

  • When
    01/25/2025
  •  
    8:30 AM
  • Location
    Rainbow Falls trailhead A, Gatlinburg, GSMNP
  • Spaces left
    22

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  Brushy Mountain may not be the highest peak in the Smokies, but it offers outstanding views. Beginning at the Rainbow Falls Trail parking area, we will hike the Trillium Gap Trail 5.2 miles to the Brushy Mountain Trail and then out along the spur to Brushy Mountain itself. Along the way we will pass behind Grotto Falls, walk among old growth trees, and enjoy wonderful views. Be prepared for ice near the falls. Micro spikes are highly recommended. The hike is 11.2 miles round trip with elevation gain of 2100 ft. Rated moderately difficult. Carpool from 1510 Cracker Barrel Lane off exit 398 of I-40. Meet in the corner on the right as you enter the parking lot. Be prepared to leave at 7:00 a.m. The drive is 70 miles roundtrip. Suggested reimbursement at 7 cents /mile to the driver is $4.90 (round to $5). Or meet at the Rainbow Falls parking lot A, ready to hike at 8:30 a.m.

  Leader: Randy Mitchell

  Leader contact information is included under Additional Information in the email you receive after registration.

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